In the summertime, entertaining needs to be easy — so you have more time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the warm-weather eats. We set out to create fun, complete party experiences using only five essential ingredients, from tasty food and drinks to decor and games. Party on!

One of my absolute favorite ways to spend a summer evening is grilling pizzas in the backyard with my husband. It’s a fun, interactive way to enjoy cooking together, and the end result is so delicious. Recently we invited a few friends to join in on our tradition — letting everyone know that they’d be expected to participate in the cooking process. I set a simple, rustic table filled with fresh seasonal ingredients and woodsy elements for my farmhouse-inspired fete.

Today on Kelsey’s Essentials, Kelsey shares her recipe for really simple pizza dough. From there, she’ll show you how that base can be used for endless dishes: pizzas, flatbreads, cheesy calzones and everyone’s favorite, buttery garlic knots.